UST is up 1-0 in the virtual best-of-3 series against defending champion DLSU as the Golden Tigresses score a masterful win to end the elimination round of UAAP Season 86.
De La Salle unleashed its best weapon in the biggest game of the season and UST just shrugged it off.
The UST Golden Tigresses put defending champion De La Salle on the brink of elimination, winning the first game of their virtual best-of-3 showdown, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST bucked a slow start, as the Lady Spikers seemingly rode the emotion brought about by the return of MVP Angel Canino.
With the win, the Golden Tigresses will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage against the champs when they meet again in the Final Four proper.
The Tigresses leaned on Jonna Perdido and Angge Poyos in the fourth set, where they unleashed an furious 16-5 run to end the match.
The two teams square off against each other again in the semifinals which begin on Saturday, May 4.
Poyos lit up with 22 points including three blocks, while Perdido fired 19, including five in that final stretch. The last was a through-the-block shot to put the game at match point, 24-15.
Xyza Gula then checked in the game and delivered the winning service ace that had UST crowd unglued.
Regina Jurado added 13 points for the Tigresses, who share an identical 12-2 record with NU but will have to settle for the second spot by virtue of inferior points.
“Ico-congratulate ko mga players namin na talagang nagta-trabaho para sa UST. Maganda tong pag pasok ng Final Four kasi nanalo kami, malaking malaking panalo ngayon gabi,” said a proud coach Kungfu Reyes after the game.
“Nakuha namin ine-aim namin. Hindi naging madali mga pinagdaanan mga bata lalo pa yung makaharap mga defending champion.”
In a game Canino returned from an arm injury, Shevana Laput stole the spotlight and finished with 26 points including two service aces.
Canino had 13 points.